The cricket team we have today is more talented than the 1996 squad: Arjuna Ranatunga

Sri Lankan cricket has gone through a lot of ups and downs in recent years. After the likes of Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene retired, the Lankan Lions have struggled for consistency in international cricket across formats. One of their greatest achievements, in recent years, came in Asia Cup 2022, when Dasun Shanaka led his side to win the coveted title.

However, in the subsequent T20 World Cup, Sri Lanka flattered to deceive. In this year's Asia Cup, Sri Lanka blew hot and cold but they managed to reach the finals, coming up second to India. One of the greatest captains in the history of the sport, Arjuna Ranatunga, lauded the current team and said that they are a more talented lot than the iconic squad that won the ODI World Cup in 1996.

Ranatunga was the captain of that revolutionary Sri Lanka side which had some exceptional cricketers like Aravinda de Silva and Sanath Jayasuriya, among others. The 59-year-old mentioned that Aravinda was the only player in the 1996 side who was more talented than the current crop of cricketers.

"With the exception of Aravinda de Silva, the cricket team we have today is more talented than the 1996 squad," he was quoted as saying by Daily Mirror. Ranatunga also slammed the present administration of the sport for misleading young and talented cricketers in the country.

Ranatunga questioned ACC's decision to reward Sri Lankan curators and groundsmen

Asian Cricket Council (ACC) rewarded the curators and groundsmen of Kandy and Colombo, with the prize money of USD $50,000 for their efforts during the Asia Cup. Mohammed Siraj, who won the Player of the Match award in the final in Colombo, for his six-wicket haul, also donated his prize money to the groundsmen. However, Arjuna Ranatunga expressed his concerns regarding these developments and asked the media to investigate them.

"I have one question. There have been many Indian tours of Sri Lanka. Some games were washed out while some were played due to the dedicated service of the ground staff. But I have never witnessed anyone awarding them cash prizes. I like it very much if the money is given to someone, and not stolen. But then, the Man of the Match too gave his prize money to the staff at the end of the tournament," Ranatunga said

"The groundsmen rendered their services for all these years, but not even the administration of Sri Lanka Cricket has made payments of this nature. These are the facts that media must investigate," the former legend concluded.